Federal government has flagged off the construction of Abia Airport in Nsulu of Isialangwa North LGA of the state.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo said the airport when completed would boost socio economic activities of the state.
Mr. Keyamo noted that Abia is the heartbeat of industrialization of the South East region, described the Airport as a veritable enabler for economic and social development.
According to him, it is the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Abia be connected to the rest of the world through the project and assured that the people of the host community would be given first considerations in appointment and employment in the airport project.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker Federal House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu said that President Tinubu is deliberate about the development of the South East and Abia in particular, and pointed out that the President is the only President that assented to the South East Development Commission.
In his remarks, Governor Alex Otti of the state commended President Bola Tinubu for his practical commitment to ensure rapid social economic development of the South East Geopolitical Zone.
Governor Otti said that the President did not only approved the initial plan to build an Airstrip in the state but also magnanimously consented to the State Government’s proposal to expand the scope of the project to become a full-fledged airport stressing that transform the State’s transport system.
He announced that the project would be completed in 36 months and thanked all stakeholders who contributed to marking the project a reality.
In her speech, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha thanked Mr. President for considering Abia for siting an international airport and maintained that Abia will benefit a lot from the project.
Mrs. Onyejiocha used the opportunity to disclose that the President would by January next year unveil a federal government’s project aimed at employing Nigeria youths.
Earlier in their remarks, the Commissioner for Transport Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu and his Lands and Housing counterpart, Mr Chaka Chukwumereije while describing the airport project as a gateway to the world and a catalyst for economic and sustainable growth.
The airport project will be situated on a One Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Five hectres of land.
